Inflatable figure assembly

ABSTRACT

A displayable inflatable figure has a main hollow body that is of a soft and air-permeable fabric. A fan assembly attached to a base is arranged to force air into the main body. An internally attached lighting system is fastened to provide illumination without external lighting. When inflation is desired, the fan continuously pumps air into the hollow main body. When the hollow main body is inflated, excessive air leaks out from the fabric so that the figure can keep a good shape.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.10/705,034, filed Nov. 10, 2003, which is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/042,622, filed Jan. 9, 2002, now U.S. Pat. No.6,644,843. The entirety of each of the foregoing patent documents ishereby incorporated by reference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates generally to air-filled displays and moreparticularly to an inflatable figure assembly.

2. Discussion of Related Art

The prevailing displayable, inflatable figures use impermeable materialsuch as plastic for the main body. Though this kind of material can beimpermeable in a short time period, only a few polyester materials canprevent air from leaking out over a long time period, causing a displayto look poor, as the display does not retain its shape. In addition,such air-filled figures are usable in lighted areas or during day light.At night, only with the help of external light, can people notice theexistence of the inflatable figure.

SUMMARY

In accordance with an example embodiment of the present invention, anassembly figure has a hollow body made of soft, permeable fabric, a fanassembly forcing air into the main body, and a lighting system inside ofthe body. When the air has filled the body, the excessive air leaks outfrom the fabric, thus the figure can keep a good shape for a long time.In addition, the light inside of the body disperses to the outside,making it visible at nighttime.

In accordance with an example embodiment of the invention, an inflatablefigure assembly is provided comprising: a hollow main body, wherein saidhollow main body is made of soft permeable fabric and forms a figurewhen inflated; a base having a hole, at least a portion of the hollowmain body being attached to the base; a fan system attachable to thebase and arranged to channel air through the hole in the base and intothe hollow main body above the base; and a lighting system arranged tobe supported inside the hollow main body when the hollow main body isinflated, the lighting system comprising at least one lighting body thatilluminates the figure from within, wherein the hollow main body allowsair to diffuse through it at a rate no faster than the fan systemdischarges air into the hollow main body.

The at least one lighting body may further comprise a bulb connected toa power cord.

The at least one lighting body may comprise a bulb and a cover.

The inflatable figure assembly may further comprise tie-down ringssecured to said hollow main body.

The inflatable figure assembly may further comprise an anchor attachableto each tie-down ring.

The at least one lighting body may be a plurality of lighting bodies andeach of the plurality of lighting bodies may further comprise a bulbconnected to a power cord. Each of the plurality of lighting bodies maycomprise the bulb and a cover.

The fan system may be located above the base and within the hollow mainbody.

The hole may be in a bottom of the base and air may be received upwardlythrough the hole when the hollow main body is inflated by the fansystem.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent from the following descriptions, taken in connection with theaccompanying drawings, wherein, by way of illustration and example, anembodiment of the present invention is disclosed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include exampleembodiments to the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Itis to be understood that in some instances various aspects of theexample embodiment may be shown exaggerated or enlarged to facilitate anunderstanding of the inflatable figure assembly.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the inflatable figure assembly inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the fan and stand assembly in accordancewith an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side view of the fan and stand assembly of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of a section of the lighting assembly inaccordance with an example embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the inflatable figure assembly in itsfully inflated and tie-down configuration according to an exampleembodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Detailed descriptions of an example embodiment are provided herein. Itis to be understood, however, that the present invention may be embodiedin various forms. Therefore, specific details disclosed herein are notto be interpreted as limiting, but rather as a basis for the claims andas a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to employthe present invention in virtually any appropriately detailed system,structure or manner.

Referring to FIG. 1, inflatable FIG. 10 has hollow main body 11. Mainbody 11 is made of soft, permeable fabric such as nylon. Extended part12 at the bottom of main body 11 includes assembly 20. There is alsoshown lighting system 30 inside of main body 11.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, fan assembly 20 has base 21 and fasteningring 22 having a hole 211. Around base 21, there are several protrudingfastening pieces 212 for detachably receiving supporting legs 26. Inaddition, base 21 and fastening ring 22 help tighten and hold extendedpart 12. At the bottom of hole 211 of base 21, air vent 25 has aplurality of parallel holes 251 along the edge. Motor 23 is installed ontop of base 21, within cover 24. Fastening piece 243 on cover 24 helpsto fasten motor 23 on base 21. The motor will continue to force air intothe figure when on. Once filled, the permeability of the main bodymaterial allows air to escape, while still maintaining the figure shape.

Turning to FIGS. 1 and 4, lighting system 30 includes a power cord 31,on which there are several lighting bodies 32. Each lighting body 32includes a bulb (not shown) and may further include a lower cover 321and an upper cover 326 to cover the bulb. A connecting base 322 on thelower cover 321 enables the bulbs on the power cord 31 to be insertedinto the lower cover 321. A fastening base 324 sets on top of theconnecting base 322, and two fastening pieces 323, 325 use screws tofasten them together. Upper cover 326 corresponds to fastening base 324on which a connecting joint 327 can be set so that the upper and lowercovers 326, 321 of the lighting body 32 can cover the bulb inside. Thelighting bodies 32 may be strung together as shown or extended atappropriate places within the body 11 of the FIG. 10. When powered, thelighting bodies 32 will illuminate the FIG. 10 from within.

Referring to FIG. 5, to set up, body 11 may use supporting legs 212 onfan equipment 20 to stand on the ground. There is a designed spacebetween the ground and base 21 for air circulation for motor 230. If ahigher position is needed, the supporting leg on the base could beextended. String may be fastened via loops of material to body 11 to tiedown the body. Body 11 may also be designed with additional materialtowards the lower end that may be connected to the stand so as to coverthe stand and fan assembly from view as shown in the dotted lines ofFIG. 5.

Though shown here in only one configuration, the main body 11 may takeon any of a variety of shapes and sizes. While the invention has beendescribed in connection with an example embodiment, it is not intendedto limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth,but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives,modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit andscope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

1. An inflatable figure assembly, comprising: a hollow main body,wherein said hollow main body is made of soft permeable fabric and formsa figure when inflated; a base having a hole, at least a portion of thehollow main body being attached to the base; a fan system attachable tothe base and arranged to channel air through the hole in the base andinto the hollow main body above the base; and a lighting system arrangedto be supported inside the hollow main body when the hollow main body isinflated, the lighting system comprising at least one lighting body thatilluminates the figure from within, wherein the hollow main body allowsair to diffuse through it at a rate no faster than the fan systemdischarges air into the hollow main body.
 2. The inflatable figureassembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting body furthercomprises a bulb connected to a power cord.
 3. The inflatable figureassembly of claim 1, wherein the at least one lighting body comprises abulb and a cover.
 4. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1, furthercomprising tie-down rings secured to said hollow main body.
 5. Theinflatable figure assembly of claim 4, comprising an anchor attachableto each tie-down ring.
 6. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1,wherein the at least one lighting body is a plurality of lightingbodies.
 7. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 6, wherein each ofthe plurality of lighting bodies further comprises a bulb connected to apower cord.
 8. The inflatable figure assembly of claim 7, wherein eachof the plurality of lighting bodies comprises the bulb and a cover. 9.The inflatable figure assembly of claim 1, wherein the fan system islocated above the base and within the hollow main body.
 10. Theinflatable figure assembly of claim 9, wherein the hole is in a bottomof the base and air is received upwardly through the hole when thehollow main body is inflated by the fan system.
 11. The inflatablefigure assembly of claim 1, wherein the hole is in a bottom of the baseand air is received upwardly through the hole when the hollow main bodyis inflated by the fan system.